Solitary bee emergence box

Abstract

Incubation and emergence of solitary-nesting pollinating bees from their nests or cocoons under field conditions may be effected using a device including a first outer and second inner hollow containers wherein a nest containing the bees may be disposed, and first and second communicating openings are provided on the lower surfaces of the containers to provide access to the environment from the nest in the inner container. To allow egress of bees from the nests to the environment while inhibiting or preventing their return, a one-way exit is provided in communication with the second opening, which is also attached to or extends through the first opening. Controlled heating of the nests are effected by disposing a heating element within the outer container, external of the inner container. A temperature controller for the heating element and an electrical power source for providing power thereto are also provided.

1. An apparatus for the field incubation and emergence of nesting solitary pollinating bees which comprises:
 a) a first openable/closable outer container comprising a hollow interior chamber and a bottom surface, said first bottom surface comprising a first opening therethrough, wherein said outer first container is constructed from a thermal insulating material; 
 b) a second openable/closable inner container disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said first container, said second container comprising a hollow interior chamber and a second bottom surface, wherein said hollow interior chamber of said second container is effective for holding solitary-nesting pollinating bees therein, and said second bottom surface comprises a second opening therethrough in communication with said first opening, which said second opening and said first opening are of sufficient size to allow the passage of a solitary pollinating bee therethrough; 
 c) a one-way exit attached to or extending through said first opening and in communication with said second opening to allow the egress of said bee from said hollow interior chamber of said second container to the environment while inhibiting the entrance of said bee into said hollow interior chamber of said second container from the environment; 
 d) a heating element disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said first container and external of said second container effective for warming a nest disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said second container; 
 e) a temperature controller in communication with said heating element effective for controlling said heating element; and 
 f) an electrical power source operably connected to said heating element effective for providing power thereto. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said one-way exit comprises a conduit comprising a plurality of inwardly projecting bristles positioned therein, which said bristles are angled downwardly in a direction away from said second opening. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said bristles are flexible and of a length and resilience effective to allow the passage of crawling adult bees in a downward direction away from said second opening while inhibiting the passage of bees moving in the opposite direction. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said bristles are of sufficient length such that the proximate ends thereof facing the interior of said conduit are approximately adjacent to one another. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the distal ends of said bristles extend sufficiently past each other to inhibit the ability of said bees to move in said opposite direction. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said conduit extends between said first opening and said second opening. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said heating element, power source, and controller are effective to heat and maintain said hollow interior chamber of said second container at about 20° C. to about 30° C. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said heating element, power source, and temperature controller are effective to heat and maintain said hollow interior chamber of said second container at about 21° C. to about 22° C. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, capacitor, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a solar panel or wind powered generator in communication with and effective for charging said power source. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said second container adjacent to said heating element is constructed of a thermally conductive material. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first container and said second container are constructed from a substantially opaque material effective for preventing light from accessing said bees in said hollow interior chamber of said second container except through said first opening, said second opening, and said one-way exit. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first bottom surface is approximately horizontal and said first container further comprises a first opposed upper surface and a first closed side wall extending between said first bottom and first upper surfaces and enclosing said first interior chamber. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said second bottom surface is approximately horizontal and said second container further comprises a second opposed upper surface and a second closed side wall extending between said second bottom and second upper surfaces and enclosing said second interior chamber. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said first and second side walls have a horizontal cross section independently selected from the group consisting of a closed curve, polygon, quadrilateral, circle, ovoid, and an ellipse. 
   
   
     16. A method for providing for incubating and synchronizing the emergence of solitary-nesting, pollinating bees in the field comprising:
 A) providing one or more nests or cocoons of viable solitary pollinating bees in an apparatus for the incubation and emergence of solitary pollinating bees, which said apparatus comprises:
 a) a first openable/closable outer container comprising a hollow interior chamber and a bottom surface, said first bottom surface comprising a first opening therethrough, wherein said outer first container is constructed from a thermal insulating material; 
 b) a second openable/closable inner container disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said first container, said second container comprising a hollow interior chamber and a second bottom surface, wherein said hollow interior chamber of said second container is effective for holding said nests or cocoons of solitary pollinating bees therein, and said second bottom surface comprises a second opening therethrough; 
 c) a one-way exit attached to or extending through said first opening and in communication with said second opening to allow the egress of said bee from said hollow interior chamber of said second container to the environment while inhibiting the entrance of said bee into said hollow interior chamber of said second container from the environment; 
 d) a heating element disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said first container and external of said second container effective for warming said nests or cocoons disposed within said hollow interior chamber of said second container; 
 e) a temperature controller in communication with said heating element effective for controlling said heating element; and 
 f) an electrical power source operably connected to said heating element effective for providing power thereto; 
 
 B) placing said nests or cocoons of said viable solitary pollinating bees in said apparatus in the locus of a field or orchard wherein said conduit and said one-way exit are out of contact with the ground; and 
 C) maintaining said nests or cocoons at a temperature conducive to the growth and emergence of bees within said nests or cocoons at least during a portion of the day or night. 
 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 16  wherein said bees comprise cavity nesting solitary bees of the genera selected from the group consisting of  Osmia, Megachile , and  Xylocopa.    
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 17  wherein said bees are selected from the group consisting of the blue orchard bee, alfalfa leafcutting bee, horn faced bee, sunflower leafcutting bee, and blueberry bees. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 16  wherein said temperature is between about 20° C. to about 30° C. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 16  wherein said one-way exit comprises a conduit comprising a plurality of inwardly projecting bristles positioned therein, which said bristles are angled downwardly in a direction away from said second opening. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 20  wherein said bristles are flexible and of a length and resilience effective to allow the passage of crawling adult bees in a downward direction away said second opening while inhibiting the passage of bees moving in the opposite direction. 
   
   
     22. The method of  claim 21  wherein said bristles are of sufficient length that they cross at their distal ends. 
   
   
     23. The method of  claim 16  wherein said nest is maintained at said temperature conducive to the growth and emergence of bees within said hive during a portion of the daylight or night-time hours.